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NEW DELHI: As temperature is rising nowadays in the capital, the National zoological park began its preparation for the comfort of animals. The authorities have put in place a series of special arrangements like installation of water sprinklers and desert coolers to help its animals stay cool.

According to zoo curator Riyaz Khan, the summer plans usually include change in diet, security arrangements and altering other paraphernalia."Under the summer preparations, dietary intake of carnivorous animals is cut down by 1-2 kg. The ponds are filled with water, pressure pumps are used for bathing animals and nets are used on the roofs of cages to prevent the inmates from direct sun rays," he said. Removal of wooden platforms from the enclosures, installation of fans, coolers, and use of water sprinklers are some of the other measures being undertaken during summers."Among the food plans, electro powder or vitamin supplements are given to the animals.

During the winter months, the elephants get plenty of sugarcane and a lot more peepal leaves. Jaggery too is added to their diet. Jaggery in winter helps to keep the body warm. ‘’The Zoo authorities have introduced food products like gooseberry (around 50 to 100 grams) in the diet of herbivores like pachyderms, primates, birds etc. ‘’ said Riyas Khan, curator of the National Zoo. For instance, the white tiger who consumes around 8 to 10 kilograms of meat per day in summer is now eating at least 12 kg. , he added.

Primates like the Hoolock Gibbon and the Lion Tailed Macaque are given dried paddy to sleep on in their enclosures and a lot of extra fruits, bread, milk, peanuts and chickpeas to eat. Animals feel a lot more hungry in the winter months and eating many more times during the day helps to keep them warm from inside. Hippos and all other herbivorous animals are provided with extra gooseberry in their diet. This balances out the requirement of Vitamin C through food intake itself.

All deer and antelopes in the zoo live in large enclosures. They are provided with a lot of dry paddy to sit on, which they can also eat without a problem.

The big cats — the tigers, lions and leopards — are taken care of with extra meat in their diets. They are provided with wooden platforms in their enclosures so they can rest on the warm wooden surface. Heaters also help to keep their enclosures warm.

For elephants, sugarcane, jaggery and peepal leaves, all of which help keep the body warm. Monkeys, lion tailed macaque and gibbons are eating more chickpeas, milk, fruits and nut to satiate their increased hunger in winter season. Salt licks have also made way in their cages as it helps them digest food.

Meanwhile in these summer time,The supplements help the inmates to fight dehydration. Seasonal fruits are provided to prevent them from infection. Climber plants also form a part of the diet, especially those of bears and monkeys," Khan said.

The well cares by the authorities are making the animals much comfort and visitors are happy to see them calm and enthusiastic.